Bypass sections to open on Wednesday

The completed sections will open early on Wednesday morning. Picture: Transport Scotland

Published:15:23Monday 10 December 2018

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Transport Scotland has announced that new sections of the delayed Aberdeen bypass will open on Wednesday morning.

Traffic will begin using the Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston stretches.

There will be a phased opening of the junctions. Picture: Transport Scotland

Motorists will have access to around 20 miles of new road.

Police Scotland will operate a phased opening of the junctions.

It will initially start at Craibstone with Stonehaven, Charleston, Deeside, Kingswells South and Kingswells North (A90 southbound exit slip road only) following.

Cleanhill Junction, which links the new A90 with the new section of the A956, will also open as part of the process.

For safety reasons, there will be no access to the northbound AWPR from Kingswells North until the final section of road is complete.

The contractor has confirmed that it is targeting a December completion date for the River Don Crossing, which has been held up by repairs.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “This new section of road, which will make more than 85% of the project open to traffic, will immediately make a tremendous difference to road users across the North-east.

“We would like to thank local communities, road users and businesses from across the North-east and beyond who have been extremely patient while these works were on-going and discussions were underway regarding the contract variation required for this new section to open.”

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council, Councillor Jim Gifford, said: “These new sections of the AWPR will quickly become essential routes for the many people who live and work in the area, as well as those coming to visit the north east of Scotland.

“Aberdeenshire Council has invested £75 million in the delivery of this project and I am pleased to see us reach this stage of the development.

“I would encourage everybody to take time to familiarise themselves with the new sections to see how they might benefit from the various improvements they will bring in terms of journey times, local access and reduced congestion.”